Francois Joseph Westermann

Francois Joseph Westermann (5 September 1751 - 5 April 1794) was a general for France during the French Revolutionary Wars and an important figure during the French Revolution .

Biography
Westermann was born in Molsheim, France. He served in a cavalry regiment at a young age but left for Paris shortly after leaving service. He enthusiastically supported the Revolution. In 1790, he became the secretary for the Haguenau commune. He was imprisoned for inciting riots in Haguenau. After his imprisonment, he joined Georges Danton in Paris, where they played key roles in Insurrection of 10 August 1792. Westermann was beside Charles Francois Dumouriez during Dumouriez's campaign with the French Revolutionary Army and he also took part in the negotiations with the Habsburg Monarchy. He was arrested after Dumouriez defected and was formally criticized by Jean-Paul Marat to the National Convention. He successfully proved his innocence. Then, he was appointed as general of brigade to stop the War in the Vendee. Even though he lost the First Battle of Chatillon, he did manage to win the fights in Beaupréau, Laval, Granville, and Baugé. Westermann allegedly wrote a controversial letter during the War in the Vendee to the Committee of Public Safety. In 1793, he destroyed opposition's army at Le Mans and Savenay. He went back to Paris briefly after his victory, where he was executed.